Putting name down for nursery during pregnancy?

[akc74]

Is there truth in the rumour that there is so much demand in the area for nursery places, that I should be putting our name down now (26 weeks preg with first) if I think I am likely to go back to work when my baby is 9 or 12 months old? I know there are other options to consider too of the nanny/childminder variety. Any tips, and nursery recommendations very welcome. (We are Bellenden way)

[alibo]

Yes it is true, do it now. I have ended up taking mine to canary wharf nursery and have my name down for 2 other nurseries, one is Asquith in Peckham, which I have seen highly recommended on the forum. They advised that they have a long waiting list for people who are unsure of what they want but a shorter one for people who know when they want the care. By the way they are having an open day on 13th March so you can have a look. The other one is rubadub in Forest Hill, highly recommended by mothers I have met at baby clinic and on mumsnet, over 200 on waiting list.

You won't know what you want to do until you have your baby, but there is no harm getting your name down and if you don't need the stress of phoning round, which I didn't when I was pregnant, ask a friend or partner to do it for you.

Don't worry about it too much is the key because you always find a way when the little one arrives.

[bumpy]

Definitely put your name down from now. I didn't and now have a 9 week old that's on a 2 year waiting list for a couple of places...! Personally I love Nellys www.nellysnursery.co.uk/ and Ducks http://www.dulwich.org.uk/Ducks_Home_1.aspx?id=8:867&id=8:866 but am also hoping to look at a couple of Montessori schools. With any luck I think I've found a nanny share which may see me through and not need the nursery but for ?25 it's worth registering. Good luck

[Fidgetsmum]

Yes - definitely put your name down if you want to go the nursery route. I didn't and we couldn't get my daughter in anywhere so ended up with the nanny-share route (which in fact has been an enormous blessing as our nanny is absolutely brilliant). But if nursery is the way for you, then definitely get that name down asap.

[Saila]

All the rumours are true

[homewardbound]

I'm returning to East Dulwich from a 4 year stint in Hong Kong and the childcare options for my 12 month old are freaking me out slightly! Are the waiting lists for nurseries really that long?! Could anyone tell me how would I go about finding a nanny/nanny share and what the costs might be?

[Smiler]

Rumours are true, get name down (or due date!) if you want nursery as an option, especially for under-twos. But there are other options too!

homewardbound - people sometimes sort out nannyshares by putting notices up in the family classified sections of this forum. This tends to be more expensive than nursery.

[ryedalema]

Indeed - get your name down now. Our eldest daughter's nursery told me that we were guaranteed a place for our littlest in July (when she'll be 6 months) and have turned around and said that they cannot now guarantee this as there's been a major 'baby boom' in ED with babies wanting care from the summer onwards. Is this something to do with the recession do you think? With us all having less money to go out with, so we stay at home and do things that are 'free'?:))

It'd be ironic if that were the case as having a child's the most expensive thing in the world (kinda!) - or it is for us.

?200,000 to get them to 21 I think it is now? Big sigh.......

(edited to add - I really hope I've not offended anyone who has been trying for ages or had any kind of challenge getting a littl'un, it's only a light-hearted quip!)

[Billy]

To add to the above yes yes yes - put your name down now. I put my name down at 20 weeks pregnant and so far nothing at all.

[JDR]

The rumours were true for us too... also costs more than you probably think too. My best recommendation is ofr the Villa on Lyndhurst in SE15. My two elder daughters have been there and the youngest is due to start soon, however they only take children from two. Babies age range is very poorly covered in the area so depending on your own preference sign to nurseries now, find a nanny/share or look for a child minder closer to the time

Most importantly, good luck. And look araound several places because if you're like I was, I had no idea what I was looking for. It takes practice

Regarding costs, check of you/partner are eligible through work for 'childcare vouchers' which mean you pay for upto ?243(?)/month pre-tax that gets apid to Ofsted registered childcarers. Standard rate tax payers save approx ?80/month, higher rate approx ?100/month. If both of you then upto ?200/month saved. Also at age 3 they get 5 free 2.5 hours so also will decrease the bills later on xx